MMA betting is an exciting and lucrative form of sports wagering. But a successful MMA wager requires careful research and an intuition honed by studying fighters’ fighting styles and histories. This is what makes MMA betting so unique and challenging, but also potentially rewarding if you follow some simple rules and practices.
The best place to start your MMA betting journey is by understanding the MMA fight odds, which are dynamic and will fluctuate during a bout. These odds are published by the UFC and provide a snapshot of each fighter’s chances of winning. Using these odds, you can bet on the outcome of a specific round or the total number of rounds in a match. The odds are based on the relative abilities of each fighter and will change as the fight progresses.
In addition to betting on the winner of a specific match, MMA betting offers a variety of other wagers. These include Over/Unders, method of victory and round props. These are essentially bets on how the fight will end, such as by knockout or submission. These bets tend to have lower payouts than the win bet but offer greater flexibility and potential profits.
Betting on MMA matchups is more complicated than boxing or kickboxing, due to the many different techniques and strategies fighters must employ. For example, a successful MMA match can be decided by points, knockouts, submissions or even a decision, which makes it hard to predict the outcome of each fight. In contrast, other combat sports like boxing are largely limited to striking and grappling.
MMA fights usually consist of three or more rounds, and oddsmakers set an Over/Under round total for each match. The Over/Under price reflects the likelihood that the fight will go the full distance, and is adjusted by a margin known as the vig or juice. The vig/juice is what makes the Over/Under so profitable, as it compensates for the sportsbook’s risk.
When placing Over/Under MMA bets, it’s important to remember that the sport is brutal. Even the most dominant fighters can lose a fight, so it’s always wise to avoid betting on favorites and seek out underdogs who have something to prove. Identifying fighters with an ‘edge’ can help you capitalize on the Over/Under and make a profit in the long run.
In addition to the Over/Under, MMA betting also offers bets on specific rounds in a fight. A popular option is to bet on the final round of a fight, which can be won by either a KO/TKO, submission or decision. This bet is a great way to spice up the action and add excitement to your MMA betting experience.
Lastly, be sure to check a fighter’s weight class prior to a fight. Fights are often scheduled with a day-before weigh-in to ensure that all fighters meet their designated weight class. Fighters who are close to missing the cut may be forced to starve themselves or undergo drastic measures to make weight, which can have a negative impact on their performance in the ring. This information can be found on the scoreboard or in the live probabilities of each MMA fight at Dimers, or by visiting the MMA Bet Hub.